How Autonomy is Addressing the Accelerating Demand for Energy

Our monthly newsletter explores how the journey from automation to autonomy is changing the world. Here we share the stories, perspectives and insights that are shaping the future of innovation across the Honeywell ecosystem.

In this edition, we examine the themes shaping the year ahead by taking a deeper dive into the future of energy — specifically how autonomy and other digital solutions are helping to meet ever-growing demand.

As companies across the globe grapple with how to address the increasing demand for energy, Anant Maheshwari, Honeywell President & CEO, Global Regions, recently shared his perspective in eixos on how new approaches in AI and autonomy are helping countries meet long-term global requirements for energy security, economic viability and emissions reduction. He emphasizes that AI-powered autonomy enhances efficiency and performance across the entire energy value chain, offsetting some of its own electricity demand. By spotlighting projects from the Middle East to the U.K. and the U.S., Anant explains how physical AI is coming to the core of operations to transform the energy value chain, as we drive adoption at scale through three fundamental pillars: data, domain and determinism. Read more in eixos.

Ken West, President & CEO of Honeywell Process Technology, expanded on this topic in a Utility Dive article, outlining the new equation for energy security in 2026. From his perspective, connected solutions — which integrate AI-powered tools with digitally connected infrastructure — will accelerate the shift of energy companies toward intelligent operations. These tools help strengthen and augment workforce capabilities, extract more value from existing assets and position energy leaders to meet rising demand with greater confidence. Early adopters are already seeing measurable gains in reliability and workforce efficiency. Read more in Utility Dive.

As energy demand accelerates, do you believe connected, AI-enabled infrastructure is becoming a competitive advantage or a necessity? Share your thoughts in the comments below. 

From rapid shifts in automation and AI to cloud and infrastructure, the question industrial companies face today is how can innovative, advanced technologies translate into measurable growth, stronger operations and long-term competitive advantage? At our recent Americas Growth Symposium, Vimal Kapur, Suresh Venkatarayalu, Anant Maheshwari, Sheila Jordan, Jim Masso and Ken West joined our customers, partners and other industry leaders to answer this very question.

Those conversations shone a spotlight on three key insights:

1. The real shift isn’t automation. It’s autonomy. Automation executes fixed rules. Autonomy works toward defined goals — uptime, yield, asset life — and adapts as conditions change. The message was clear: autonomy isn’t replacing automation. It’s being layered on top of deterministic systems, with guardrails and human oversight built in.
2. Industrial AI must be tied to economic outcomes. Connectivity, cloud ingestion and AI engines only matter if they change the math — revenue increases, costs decline or performance improves. Without that equation, technology will not scale beyond pilots.
3. Context is the unlock. Data alone isn’t enough. A central, recurring theme is ontology: creating a unified knowledge graph that connects assets, process variables and performance relationships. Shared definitions and structured relationships are essential to avoiding a world in which data stays siloed and insights stay fragmented. 

At Honeywell, we are embracing the technology trifecta of AI, Cloud and 5G to bring certainty and speed to new products that drive the path to autonomy. Here is a look at how we are helping our customers bridge the physical and digital worlds.

Deploying AI-Enabled Autonomous Operations in Collaboration with Borouge 

We collaborated with Borouge to successfully complete a proof of concept for AI-powered autonomous operations at its Ruwais facility. The milestone signifies tangible progress in developing the petrochemical industry’s first AI-driven control room for full-scale and real-time operations and highlights the potential of advanced connected solutions.

Read more via Energy Connects: Borouge completes AI proof of concept in Ruwais

Launching an AI-Smart Shopping Platform in Collaboration with Google Cloud and 66degrees to Transform the In-Person Retail Experience

We are working with Google Cloud and 66degrees to personalize the in-person shopping experience for retailers across the globe. Honeywell’s new AI-enabled Smart Shopper Platform — a cloud-based solution — creates a seamless connection between a retailer’s digital data and the physical store, allowing shoppers a more efficient and enjoyable experience.

Read more via Digital Commerce 360: Honeywell launches AI in-store shopping platform with Google Cloud

Accelerating Production at Commonwealth LNG’s Export Facility with Agreement with Tecnhip Energies

We signed an agreement with Tecnhip Energies to provide liquefaction technology and modularized exchanger solutions for Commonwealth LNG’s planned export facility in Cameron Parish, Louisiana. Our modularized exchanger delivery model will allow the company to expedite project timelines, simplify execution, mitigate construction risks and enhance production efficiencies to meet increasing energy demand. Our SeparSIV technology will also support the LNG pretreatment process at Commonwealth LNG's planned facility.

Read more via LNG Industry: Honeywell to provide technology solutions for Commonwealth LNG 

Automating and Managing Msheireb Downtown Doha in Collaboration with Msheireb Properties and Ooredoo Qatar

We are working with Msheireb Properties, Qatar’s leading sustainable real estate developer, and Ooredoo Qatar to create an AI-powered platform designed to help optimize urban operations and enhance the quality of life for all residents and visitors of Msheireb Downtown Doha. Through the partnership, we will customize our City Suite platform to integrate thousands of sensors from across Msheireb Downtown Doha into a single point of control.

Read more via Kurrant: Msheireb Downtown Doha Taps Ooredoo and Honeywell for AI-Driven City Management Platform

• Vimal Kapur on the Opportunity Physical AI Can Unlock for Automation: Our Chairman and CEO Vimal Kapur told Fox Business’ Maria Bartiromo how automation can benefit from physical AI, highlighting the way we can unlock massive amounts of trapped data from industrial assets to make them more productive. Watch Vimal’s full conversation with Maria here.
• Anant Maheshwari on How Physical AI is Already Making an Impact at Scale: On the sidelines of India Energy Week, Anant Maheshwari, President and CEO for Global Regions, spoke with Bloomberg about how physical AI is no longer just a concept or a pilot. Instead, it is now truly landing at scale, including in autonomous control centers at energy plants in regions across the world. Hear more from Anant’s interview here.
• Dave Molin on What Intelligent Building Management Looks Like for 2026: Dave Molin, President of Building Management Systems, published a new article in BUILDINGS examining why facility managers need smart tools that break down silos, automate routine tasks and deliver the actionable insights they need to operate buildings efficiently. Read Dave’s full article here to learn how buildings are poised to shift from reactive to predictive performance in 2026.
• Suresh Venkatarayalu on How Autonomous Controls Are Aiding Building Operators: In an interview at AHR Expo, Suresh Venkatarayalu, Chief Technology Officer, shared his POV on the crucial role of autonomous controls and intelligent systems in aiding and augmenting the needs of building and plant operators. Watch the interview below for more.

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